Partner Communications

Israeli telecommunications company operating extensive infrastructure in illegal settlements and providing material support to the Israeli military

Listing: TASE: PTNR HQ: Israel Website Updated: 5 Jan 2026

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Decision-Maker Directory

Key individuals with influence over corporate partnerships and procurement decisions. Direct your correspondence to the most relevant role.

Avi Gabbay
Chief Executive Officer
Former CEO of Cellcom and Bezeq; appointed June 2022
Public contact: Via investor relations: [email protected]
Shlomo Rodav
Chairman of the Board
Board oversight responsibility for settlement operations
Public contact: Via corporate secretary
Miri Takutiel
Chief Financial Officer
Former Head of Economics at Bezeq
Public contact: Via investor relations: [email protected]

Material Risk Framing

Frame your message around business risks. These talking points resonate with corporate stakeholders and institutional investors.

Reputational

Listed on UN OHCHR database of companies operating in illegal settlements; direct complicity in human rights violations creates severe reputational risk for business partners

Financial

Subject to divestment by major institutional investors including Norway's KLP pension fund; ongoing risk of further exclusions from ethical investment portfolios

Legal

Operations in occupied territories violate international law; business partners face potential regulatory scrutiny in jurisdictions with settlement-related sanctions

Operational

Infrastructure built on confiscated Palestinian land creates legal exposure; communications license for settlements expires January 2027

Strategic Analysis

In-depth assessment of the company's position, vulnerabilities, and recommended approaches for effective engagement.

CHALLENGING PRIORITY TARGET MONITORING TARGET Strategic Vulnerability → Severity → Severity: 8.0, Vulnerability: 6.5

High severity, high vulnerability — campaigns with the best chance of making an impact

Learn about our methodology — companies are categorised based on severity (harm potential) vs strategic vulnerability (campaign leverage).

Why do these scores change?

Unlike static boycott lists, our targeting model is dynamic. This company's position on the matrix is re-evaluated continually as we verify new contracts, divestments, or policy changes. Your reporting directly impacts this score.

Partner Communications represents a strategic divestment and isolation target as an Israeli-headquartered telecommunications company with documented, extensive complicity in illegal settlements. The company operates over 200 cellular antennas in the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Syrian Golan, while maintaining ongoing material support for the Israeli military. As a company listed on the UN OHCHR settlement business database, Partner offers a clear case for institutional divestment, procurement exclusion, and corporate partnership termination.

Key Leverage Points

  • UN Database Listing: Formal inclusion in OHCHR settlement business database provides authoritative basis for divestment and exclusion decisions by pension funds, universities, and ethical investors
  • Proven BDS Success: Orange's EUR90m exit in 2016 demonstrates that sustained international pressure can force major partners to sever ties despite financial penalties
  • Institutional Divestment Precedent: KLP's divestment provides template for other pension funds and institutional investors to follow, citing specific human rights concerns
  • Settlement License Expiry: Communications license for settlements expires January 2027, creating regulatory pressure point and opportunity for public opposition

Evidence Summary

Who Profits research documents Partner operating more than 200 active cellular antennas on occupied land, including 18 in no-man's-land areas, with infrastructure on privately owned Palestinian land. The company pays rental fees to settlements including Beit El and Migron outpost, directly financing the occupation economy. Partner's military complicity includes sponsoring the Ezuz armoured battalion (which participated in the 2014 Gaza assault), providing free services to soldiers, and launching postcard delivery projects for troops in Gaza.

The February 2020 UN database listing specifically cites Partner for 'provision of services and utilities supporting the maintenance and existence of settlements' and 'use of natural resources' in occupied territories. This formal recognition of settlement complicity by the UN Human Rights Council provides institutional investors with authoritative grounds for exclusion. Norway's KLP fund explicitly cited these concerns when divesting, stating there is 'unacceptable risk that the excluded companies are contributing to the abuse of human rights.'

Engagement Strategy

Focus on institutional divestment campaigns targeting pension funds, university endowments, and ethical investment portfolios. The UN database listing and KLP precedent provide ready-made justification for exclusion decisions. Engage procurement professionals at companies using Partner's services to trigger supplier review processes, emphasising legal and reputational risks of association with UN-listed settlement companies. For telecommunications industry partners, highlight the reputational damage Orange suffered before its exit and the clean precedent of termination. Frame messaging around compliance with international law and human rights due diligence obligations rather than political positions.

Evidence & Sources

Verified sources including NGO reports, regulatory filings, and primary documents. Use these to substantiate your correspondence.

NGO
2024-04-22
Who Profits: Partner Communications Company Profile

Comprehensive documentation of 200+ antennas in occupied territories, settlement payments, military sponsorship, and operations on confiscated Palestinian land

Open source
NGO
2024-01-01
AFSC Investigate: Partner Communications Profile

American Friends Service Committee documentation of Partner's settlement infrastructure, military support, and UN database listing

Open source
News
2021-07-05
Al Jazeera: Norway KLP Fund Divests from Settlement-Linked Firms

Norway's largest pension fund ($95bn AUM) divests from Partner Communications over links to illegal settlements, citing 'unacceptable risk' of contributing to human rights violations

Open source
Official Doc
2020-02-12
UN OHCHR Settlement Business Database

Partner Communications listed for 'provision of services and utilities supporting the maintenance and existence of settlements' and 'use of natural resources' in occupied territories

Open source
News
2016-01-14
Newsweek: Orange Ends Partnership as BDS Claims Victory

French telecom Orange terminates licensing agreement with Partner following six-year BDS campaign; paid EUR90m to exit relationship early

Open source
Report
2016-01-01
BDS Movement: Orange Drops Israel Affiliate Following Campaign

Documentation of successful six-year grassroots campaign by unions and pressure groups in France, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco leading to Orange divestment

Open source

Updates & Milestones

  1. Gaza soldier postcard project

    Partner launches postcard delivery project for Israeli soldiers in Gaza

  2. Military mobilisation support

    Partner mobilises mobile chargers and support for Israeli military personnel following October 7

  3. Military sponsorship renewed

    Partner renews sponsorship of two Israeli military combat units under 'Adopt A Soldier' programme

  4. University of British Columbia divestment motion

    UBC student union passes motion demanding university divest from Partner and other complicit companies

  5. KLP pension fund divests

    Norway's largest pension fund ($95bn AUM) divests from Partner, citing settlement activities and human rights concerns

  6. Listed in UN database

    UN OHCHR includes Partner in database of 112 companies operating in illegal settlements

  7. Orange brand terminated

    Orange pays EUR90m to terminate licensing agreement early; Partner rebrands under own name. BDS Movement declares major victory

  8. Orange CEO announces exit intent

    Orange CEO Stephane Richard states 'Our intention is to withdraw from Israel' following escalating BDS pressure in Egypt and France

  9. Military support during Gaza assault

    Partner provides free cellular services, entertainment, and fee waivers to Israeli soldiers during Operation Protective Edge

  10. BDS campaign launched

    International campaign begins targeting Orange over Partner's settlement operations

  11. Orange brand licensing

    Partner enters licensing agreement with France Telecom's Orange brand

  12. Company founded

    Partner Communications established as Israel's second mobile operator

Disclaimer: All information on this page is published in the public interest, based on good-faith research from credible sources and aligned with the UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights. Companies and individuals may request corrections or page removal via our Feedback Form.